Lubrication



J. BIJUR LUBRICATION Jan. 17, 1933.

Filed Aug. 22 1925 5 Sheets-5h69?, 1

J. BIJUR LUBRICATION Jan. v17, 1933.

Filed Aug. 22 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 17, 1933. J. BLJUR 1,894,658

LUBRICATION Filed Aug. 22. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5Lilli/10MinWI/l/lllIlln/llf//rll/l/l1;

CTX

Patented Jan. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH BIJUR, OF NEWYORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO AUTO RESEARCH CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OFDE-LAXVARE LUBRICATION Application filed August 22, 1925. Serial No.51,738.

My present invention is concerned with gravity flow systems of thegeneral type described in my copending application, Serial No. 39,4:15,filed J une 25, 1925, and in common with said invention has a preferredapplication in association with pressure lubricating systems, moreparticularly for delivering lubricant by gravity flow from a pressureline to the bearing or bearings of a structure having a swivel or otherrelationship to the main lubricated structure and especially where it isundesirable to convey the lubricant under pressure past or across suchswivel or other connection.

The invention is shown embodied in the steering knuckle of a motorvehicle and pro` vides convenient means for reliably supplying withclean oil, all or any number of the bearings carried by or associatedwith said knuckle and without the need for selective manipulation bydirect manual access to the individual bearings and without the use ofanyk protruding or projecting conduits likely to be torn loose inordinary use of the vehicle.

`Where a downwardly extending pipe line delivers by gravity flow, forinstance, to the tie rod bearings of a steering knuckle, irregulai-ityof operation might be encountered by the lubricant admitted theretobeing arrested in the pipe until after several lubricating operations, acolumn of suilicient weight had accumulated therein, to flow out, sothat the bearing would intermittently receive an oversupply of oilstored in the pipe in several intervening operations. f

lVhere two or more bearings at different levels, for instance, the draglink and the tie rod bearings are supplied by gravity flow from a commonsource, there is in addition the likelihood that a siphoningaction mayensue whichwould cause flooding of the lower bearing, drawing lubricantfrom the line leading to the higher, the latter, accordingly, receivingtoo little oil.

According to the present invention, such defective operations, both theflow arresting 'and the siphoning actions noted, are obviated by ventingpreferably the upper part of any draining conduit devoid of a lubricanttrap,

so that even though said conduit system be of diameter as little as l/gor even lg bore, lubricant admitted thereto would flow out to thebearing at the lower end thereof, substantially without time lag, thisbecause atmospheric pressure is maintained both at the upper and lowerend of such conduit.

Since a vent indiscriminately located or formed in a knuckle would besubject to clogging by dust or mud Vsplashed onto the knuckle in use ofthe vehicle, it is an object of the invention to arrange the vent tosubstantially preclude such clogging, without, however, forming it solarge that foreign particles could without clogging the vent, passtherethrough to the conduits.

, F or this purpose, the vent is disposed in a particularly protectedposition and is, moreover, arranged to inherently shed any mud or dirtthat might reach it, or, in the alternative,y leather boots are providedabout the vented parts in order to exclude dust, without, however',excluding the air requisite for .fenting.

In one application, the upper of the swivel bearings for the knucklepermits the free passage of lubricant to the top of the king pin fromthe corresponding inlet fitting carried by a contiguous part on the axleand conduits carried by the knuckle and in flow interceptingrelationship with respect to lubricant that has traversed the swivellead to the knuckle bearings. Venting is effected through a boreAleading to atmosphgre from the region of the upper end of the king pin,said bore extending in a downward direction through the structure andsubstantially protected by the brake shield or other part of or carriedby the knuckle 0r the axle.

ln one application, the generic principle set forth israpplied in thepassage of the lubricant from the higher drag link bearing by gravityflow to the lower tie rod bearing. Where the outlet to the drag linkbearing is at level higher than other parts of the pipe or conduitleading thereto, lubricant becomes trapped therein and if those parts ofthe pipe or passage at the inlet end, that are above'the level of theoutlet are of diameter suiiiciently large to `prevent air blocking,

satisfactory operation will occur regardless whether the upper part ofsuch pipe is vented or unvented, or whether the oil trapping length ofpipe be of small or of large diameter. In such construction, a conduitconveying lubricant from the drag link to the tie rod bearing, would be`inherently vented at the drag link which while it may be provided Withleather boots to exclude dust and dirt will nevertheless permit readyentry of air, so that prompt delivery of oil to the tie rod will occureven though av connecting pi e of small diameter, as little as g bore heem loyed.

n the accompanying drawings in which aire :shown one or more of variouspossible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is ya side elevation partly in section of one embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig.1 showing a modification,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 of another form of the invention,

. Fig. 4 is a plan view of part of the embodiment of Fig. 3,

5 is a view partly in section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. -6 is a sectional View on line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I have shown a knuckleassembly comprising an axle beam 10 having a king pin 11 extendingthrough an eye 12 thereof, protruding therebeyond and affording bearingsfor bushings 13 and 14 press-fitted into the jaws of a knuckle clevis 15of substantially conventional construction. The lower bushing 14 has aplug 18 press-fitted into its lower end to prevent escape of lubricant,ascrew plug 19 closing an aperture therein through which a pin may bedriven for removing the king pin in disassembly. A .ba-ll thrust bearing16 rests on the lower knuckle devis jaw 17 and sustains the axle beam.The knuckle has rigidly secured thereto an arm 2() which in thisinstance, is shown curved and which has at the outer end thereof, anupwardly extending ball stud 21 taperfitted thereinto, as shown, bypressure applied by a nut 21 threaded on the end of the stud andpressing against the arm. Intermediate the ends of the arm is a ballstud 22 for the tie rod, said stud extending downward therefrom, andalso taper-fitted by pressure applied by nut 22.

According to the present embodiment, there are lubricated from aseparate source both the upper and lower bearings of the king pin intheir respective bushings, the ball thrust bearing 16 upon which theaxle beam rests, the drag link and the tie rod bearings. To this end,the lubricant is delivered to the knuckle through a pressure-tight pipe24 `also pinned to the king pin.

which may be of seamless metal having an outlet terminal 25 which may bea drip plug, for inst-ance, of the type disclosed in the copendingapplication of Edward H. Kocher, Serial No. 22,104 iiled April 10th,1925. The drip plug 25 is fitted into a downwardly extending socket 26in a cap structure 27 rigid with the axle. The king pin is provided witha reduced upper extensfon 28, protruding into a tightly titting'centralaperture in cap 27 which is preferably The cap is generally annular inconstruction except for the lug for the drip plug and encircles theupper end of the knuckle. An annular washer 29 is interposed between theknuckle and the cap to preclude the entry of dust to the swiveling orbearing surface, the construction of which may be the same as that fullydescribed in my copendingl application, Serial No. 39,415,1iledJune 25,1925. The lubricant from the drip plug passes through a bore 30 in thecap plugged at its outerend at 31 and, in lturn, dripping downwardthrough a bore 32 in an annular pilot flange 33 on the cap l which titsinto the upper knuckle clevs. The lubricant, accordingly, collects inthe annular Well 34, the bottom of which is formed by the upper end ofthe bushing 13 and the shoulder 35 at the base of the reduced king L pinextension 28. The upper bushing is provided with a passageway,preferably formed by .a plurality of longitudinal external grooves 36,which communicate with a peripheral groove 37 internal/(hate the ends ofsaid bushing. The groove 37, in turn, communicates with a pipe 38fitting at its upper end in a corresponding apertured boss 39 formedintegral with the upper knuckle bearing extending downward fromsubstantially the level of groove 37, along the structure of the knuckleto the drag link bearing.

The pipe 38 is shown of relatively large diameter, one-quarter inch boreor more, so that the lubricant can trickle downward past any airtherein, said large diameter part extending down at least to the levelof the outlet to the drag link stud 21. The rest of the pipe 4() whichmay extend, as shown, along the drag link below outlet of stud 21, maybe ot smaller diameter, too small to permit passing of lubricant aroundany air therein, in manner and for reasons fully set forth in mycopending application above identified. Preferably, the outlet cud ofthe line 40extends radially inward at the eye 41 at which the ball stud21 is mounted, and deliversvby way of a radial bore 42 in thc stud intoan axial bore 43 plagued at 44 at its upper end and communicatingthrough one or more of the radial outlet bores 139 through the hall foroiling the corresponding drag link bearing.

The king pin has a flat 45 near its upper endy .determining a narrowpassage communicatwill passalong longitudinal groot/'es oo ro ing withthe well 34, a radial bore 46 inthe king pin delivering lubricanttherefrom into an axial bore 47 therein, whichbore entends downward tosubstantially the level oi the ball thrust bearing i6 and is plugged atthe upper end at 47. The king pin has a radial bore 48 in turndelivering to av peripheral groove 49 about the king pin, substantiallyatk the bearing plane of the ball thrust bearing from which the latteris lubricated.

The thrust bearing is constructed so that lubricant may drain therefromto supply the tie rod bearing. rlhe assembled bearing is enclosed in asheet metalv capsule con posed of two telescopefl caps, the lower otwhich, (indicated by reference numeral 50) rests in the knuckle andcarries a star washer l upon which the thrust bearing assembly rests,the axle beam resting on the upper cap 52. Such lubricant as overflowsaround the ball bearing passes between the teeth ot' the star washerthrough one or more apertures 50 inthe cap 50, into an annular groove 53formed in the upper surface of the lower knuckle clevis jaw,which, inturn, drains into a vertical bore 54 through the lower'jawot the clevis,said bore plugged at 55 at its lower end. 'Y

Bore 54 delivers between its ends into a pipe 56 secured by appropriateterminal 57 to the knuckle, said pipe extending downward to eye 58 inthe arm 2O which carries the tie rod ball stu-d 22. rlhe. latter isbored in the same manner as the drag link stud to supply lubricant tothe tie rod bearing.

In the present embodiment, the bore ot the king pin and the pipe 56leading to the tie rod both are made of diametertoo small to permitpassing of lubricant about any air therein, and ii desired, as small asAll-5 here. To facilitate ifree ilow of the lubricant through the smallconduit and to preclude stoppage ota plurality of charges thereinfollowed by flooding oit the bearing, the upper endot the knuckle isvented. in one embodiment, this vent consists ot a bore 158 extendingobliquely downward throrh the upper knuckle from the side wall of tirewell 34, shown, and communicating with a shallow downwardly slopinggroove 59 at the wheel side of the. lynuckle at which the biae shield 60or equivalent structure issecured. l have thus disposed a vent'wheredust and dirt will not readily get at it anc` even it' it should, itwould drop therefrom by vity. The king pin bore 47 and the cornnrLheating `tie rod conduit 56 are effectively vented through a radial bore6l which connects said king pin bore with the vented well 34.

In operation, lubricant admitted to th-A knuc le from a remote source ofpressure wil be forced through the drip plug` and wil flow through thepassage -32 into the wel 34 where it divides. @ne part oi' the lubricant""t the peripheral groove 37 whence it escapes through the boss 39 andpipe 38 to the drag link bearing 2l by way of pipe 40 and bores 42, 43and 139. Normally lubricant will be trapped in the pipe below the levelof the drag link outlet bores 39 and it will be un'- derstood that suchlubricant as passes down the large pipe 38 on to the trapped lubricant,will causethe delivery of a corresponding charge at the bearing.

Another part of the lrbricant from the well 34 will flow down the flat45 through the bore 46 into the longitudinal bore 47 of the king pin.Said bore being vented through the radial bore 6l, well 34 and ventingapen l washer ul through ports to groove 53,

which drains through bore 54 into pipe 56 and thence into the bore otthe tie rod pivot stud 22, T he vent 158 maintains atmospheric pressureat the top of the king pin bore 47 and at the various pipes suppliedtherefrom,

so that siphoning of lubricant from the king pin bearing er the draglink bearing to the tie rod bearing or from the upper king pin bearingto the drag link or from the latter 'to the lower king pin bearing issubstantially7 precluded.

ln Fig. 2 is shown a modification of the embodiment shown in Fig. l inwhich the venting` bore in the upper knuckle clevis extends preferablyobliquely at 62 but partly through the thickness of the upper knuckleand thence communicates with a longitudinal bore 63 terminating at thelower lace of said clevis j aw. inasmuch as the thrust bearing 1G is atthe lower end oi the axle eye, a small space will be maintained betweenthe upper Jface of the axle eye l2 and the upper clevis jaw, so that thebore 63 is effectively vented thereat. ln Figs. 3 to 6 is shown anotherform ot he Eaving a king pin ll pinned therein and a virust bearing i6below the axle beam, by vhiclrit sustained on the lower clevis aw of thewheel knuckle. A cap 27 generally siniila to that shown in Fig. l mountsthe through the lug 26 ot the cap, as shown, for

along the lower king pin bearing the latter, the lubricant colinvention,also embodying an axle l0 l us drip plug 25 and communil which bore isinsertion of the pins and then plugged at their outer ends at 69. Thepassage determined by the pin 67 delivers into a downwardly slopin bore70 through the cap,

aligned with a transverse bore 71 in the king pin. This alignment may beeffected by the predetermined relation of apertures for pin 65 by whichthe cap is locked to the upper end of the king pin.

Al Bore 71 in the king pin delivers into the axial bore 72 thereofplugged at 72 at its upper end and draining to thrust bearing 16 and tothe lower king pin pivot bearing 14 as in the embodiment of Fig. 1.

' The passage determined by pin 68 coinmunieates with a bore 73 in thecap radiating from king pin 11 but terminating short of the axisthereof. Bore 7 3 delivers to well 34 through a port 74 in the pilotflange 33 of 'U0 the cap. In this embodiment, the well 34 communicateswith an oblique notch 75 at the upper end of the up er bushing 13 which,in turn. delivers into t 1e upper end of the pipe Y 38' fitting in acorresponding boss 39 in the knuckle clevis. As in the embodiment ofFig. 1, pipe 38 is of large diameter down to a level no higher than thatof the drag link outlet and may be oi small diameter at the part 40which extends below said outlet and 1n which lubricant is trapped. Pipe40 is secured by means of a compression coupling 76 into a correspondingsocket 77 in the eye 78 which mounts the drag link ball stud 121.

The socket 77 communicates through radial bore 79 with radial bore 80 inthe stud, from which the lubricant passes to the bearing surface thereofthrough an axial passage.

In this embodiment, an excess of the lubricant that is delivered to thedrag link bearing is allowed to overio-w therefrom by gravity to the tierod bearing. For this purpose, the axial bore 81 in the drag linkbearing has press-fitted into the lower part thereof, a short verticalpipe 82 extending upward to substantially the center of the bali. Thebore determines a small clearance passage 83 about the pipe 82 extendingthe major part o the length thereof. The upper end of pipe 82 extendsinto a well 84 of larger diameter bored from the upper end of the ball,said well being plugged at 85 at its outer end. A radial bore 86 throughthe pivot stud communicates with the lower end of the annular clearancespace 83 and, in turn, delivers to a bore 87 in the eye 78 to which isconnected a pipe 88 extending along the arm and connected at its lowerend into a lug 89 adjacent the tie rod bearing. Compression couplings 90and 91 respectively connect the upper end of pipe 88 to the eye 7 8 andthe lower end into lug 89. A bore 92 through the lug 89 communicateswith a radial bore 93 in the tie rod ball stud which, in turn, deliversto an axial bore 94 therein plugged at 05 its lower end 95, from whichthe lubricant passes to the bearing through one or more bores 96radially of the ball. A key 97 locks the ball stud 121 against rotaryshift from predetermined position in eye 78, so that stud ores 80 and 86will register with the corresponding bores 79 and 87 respectively in theeye 78. The nut 98 draws the taper-fitted shank of the pivot stud tight,so that lubricant will not drip in its flow into and out of the pivotstud. A key 99 bears a similar relation to tie rod stud 122.

In operation, lubricant from a remote source is forced through the dripplug and passes therebeyond under little or no pressure through thepassage determined by the two restriction pins 67 and 68' whie determinethe division of the lubricant. The lubricant that has passed pin 67drips through the oblique passage of the cap 27 into the bore 71-72 ofthe king pin and then passes radially outward at 48 to the bearingsurface of the ball thrust bearing 16 from which the lower king pinbearing 14 also is lubricated as in the embodiment of Fig. 1. The restof the lubricant passes into well 34 from bore .73 which is suppliedfrom the other restricted passage 68. The pin 68 is preferably ofsmaller diameter than pin 67 to determine a passage of largercross-section and of less resistance to flow, so as to pass the greaterportion of the lubricant. The Well 34 drains into the notch in thebushing 13 and thence into the pipe 38. The enlarged upper end of thispipe will prevent air blocking so that lub-ricant will readily depositupon the body of trapped lubricant therebelow in pipe 49. Lubricantoverfiows from the trapping pipe 40 through radial bore 7 9 in the draglink eye, thence through radial bore in the stud 121 upward through pipe82 overflowing into the annular well 84. Some of the lubricant from theupper end of the pipe passes on through radial bore 100 to oil the draglink bearing and some will seep downward through the narrow annularpassage 83 between the outer surface of the pipe 82 and the enclosingbore 81 and proceeds through the radial bore 86 onward through the pipe88 to the lower or tie rod bearing. The clearance is so determined as toassure substantially correct division between the drag link and the tierod bearings of the lubricant admitted through pipe 40.

The drag link while sufficiently dust-tight by the use of appropriateleather boots not shown) is by no means an air-tight construction andatmospheric pressure exists therein. By the provision of venting bore102 in the ball cup 101, or elsewhere in communication with well 84, theupper end of pipe 88 will, accordingly, be at atmospheric pressure. Pipe88, therefore, may be and preferably is of small diameter, of as littleas ,16 bore, and by reason of the vented relation, any

lubricant` admitted to pipe 88 will pass promptly therethrough bygravity flow to the tie rod bearing.

While in both embodiments, I have shown the invention applied to areverse Elliott type axle, that is, to one in which the clevis on theknuckle straddles the axle, it will be understood that the generalprinciples thereof may be readily applied to an Elliott axle, in whichthe clevis is on the axle and straddles the knuckle eye.

The inventionv is not limited in its application to remote controllubrication or to the use of a drip plug for admitting lubricant to theknuckle. An oil cup or other lubricant admittingfitting may be appliedto the knuckle instead of the drip plug, for supplying the variousknuckle bearings in the manner disclosed and claimed.

By the terms control, adjacent, subsidiary, carried, and/or associatedbearings, as utilized in the accompanying claims is included. thepivotal control bearings such as the upper and lower king pin bearing,and also the thrust bearing, which are located internally of theknuckle, the steering actuating controlling bearings such the drag linkand tie rod bearings which are located externally of the knuckle; andother bearings associated with, positioned about, or located adjacent tothe knuckle which are adapted to receive lubricant from the same sourcethat supplies said knuckle bearings proper.

It is to be Yunderstood that although the invention of the presentapplication is illustratively described in connectionwith a steeringknuckle of an automotive vehicle, it is broadly adaptable to the supplyof lubricant to a plurality of bearings particularly at differentlevels, and particularly by gravity systems. Even though the inventionis particularly adapted to the supply of lubricant 'to a plurality ofbearings from a central chassis lubricating system, it is also adaptedto the supply of lubricant by individual application to the severalbearings of an automobile chassis.

r lhe part of the subject-matter shown and described in the presentapplication, but not claimed therein, is covered in the copendingapplications Serial No. 485,056, filed September 29, 1930 and Serial No.39,415, filed June 25, 1925.

I claim l. In a lubricating installation, in combination, a bearing,conduit leading lubricant thereto from a turning structure at higherlevel, a support structure for said conduit between said first structureand said bearing, said support structure affording a dust excluding ventat said iirst structure to maintain the upper end of the conduit atatmospheric pressure for permitting ready gravity flow of the lubricanttherethrough to supply the bearing.

2. In combination, a relatively fixed structure, a structure swiveledthereto and carrying a bearing at level below a portion of the swivelbearing therefor, a passageway on said swiveled structure extendingdownward from the mount thereof to said bearing and at least in part ofdiameter too small to permit gravity iow of lubricant therethrough aboutany air therein, means to prevent foreign matter from enteringthepassageway at said swivel, said means rendering the constructionsubstantially air-tight during operation, and a port venting a part ofsaid passageway.

3. In a motor vehicle, in combination, an axle, a knuckle pivotallymounted thereon, an arm rigid with said knuckle, a bearing carriedthereby, a lubricant inlet rigid with said axle, a conduit carried bysaid knuckle and in flow intercepting relationship to4 lubricant fromsaid inlet, said conduit being ventedand extending downward to saidbearing and having a part between the vent and the bearing of diametertoo small for passage of lubricant about any air therein, all of saidparts being constructed and arranged to form a substantially non-leakingpassage of lubricant kto said bearing.

4. In a lubricating installation, in combination, a pair of bearings atdifferent levels, an inlet at level higher than said bearings forsupplying the higher ofthem and a substantially vertically extendingoutlet conduit for delivering from the higher ydown to the lower of saidbearings of diameter too small to permit passage of lubricant about anyair therein and vented near the commencement thereof.

5. In a lubricating installation, in combination, a pair of bearings atdilerent levels, an inlet at level higher than said bearings, a conduitsupplying lubricant by gravity flow downward from said inlet to theupper of said bearings, means maintaining lubricant to a .substantiallypredetermined level in said bearing and an overflow conduit from saidbearing extending downward to the lower of said bearinggsaid overflowconduit being of diameter smaller than needed for passage of lubricantabout any air therein andthe upper end thereof being vented to assureprompt delivery of lubricant to the lower bearing.

6. In a steering knuckle, in combination, a tie rod bearing and a draglink bearin at dilierent levels, a conduit carried by sai knuckle andextending along the structure thereof to the bearing at higher level anda second conduit intercepting overflow oi' lubricant from said higherbearing and extending along the structure ofthe knuckle to the bearingat lower level. p A

7. In a steering knuckle, in combination, a tie' rod bearing and a draglink bearing at different levels, a conduit carried by said knuckle andextending along the structure thereof to the bearing at higher level anda second conduit intercepting overflow of lubricant from said higherbearing and extending along the structure of the knuckle to the bearingat lower level, said latter conduit being of diameter too small topermit flow of lubricant about any air therein and being vented at theupper bearing.

8. A steering knuckle havinc', in combination, a rigid arm structurehaving a ball stud thereon at higher level for a drag 'link and a ballstud at lower level for a tie rod, a conduit carried by said knuckle andextending along the structure thereof to deliver into the shank of thehigher ball stud, said shank having an axial bore extending upward tosaid bearing thereof, a pipe in said ore leaving clearance space throughwhich overflow descends and a second pipe intercepting said overflow andextending along the structure ofthe knuckle to supply the lower bearing.

9. A steering knuckle having a rigid arm structure with a ball studthereon at higher level for a drag link and a ball stud at lower levelfor a tie rod, a conduit carried by said knuckle and extending along thestructure thereof to deliver into the shank of the higher ball stud,said shank having an axial bore extending upward from said inlet to thebearing thereof, a pipe in said bore communicating with said conduit andleaving clearance for overflow and a second pipe communicating with theclearance space and extending along the structure of the knuckle tosupply the tie rod bearing, said second pipe being of diameter too smallto permit passage of lubricant about any air therein and being vented atthe drag link end thereof.

10. In a motor vehicle, in combination, an axle, a knuckle having apivot mount thereon, a lubricant inlet rigid with said axle, pipingcarried by said knuckle in flow intercepting relationship with respectto lubricant from said inlet and extending along the structure of saidknuckle to the drag link bearing thereof, additional piping drainingexcess lubricant from the drag link bearing and eirtending along theknuckle structure to the tie rod bearing, a substantially dust-tightswivel between the inlet carryin structure and the pivoting knucklesubstantially precluding the admission of air, said first mentionedpiping beingof diameter sufficiently large down to substantially thelevel of said drag link bearing to permit passage of oil about any airtherein and the rest of the piping being of diameter too small to permitpassage of lubricant about any air therein.

1l. In a motor vehicle, in combination, an axle, a steering knucklepivoted thereto and having two bearings rigid therewith at differentlevels, a pressure absorbing 'lubricant inlet on said axle near theupper end of said knuckle, a piping system carried by said knuckle, andin flow intercepting relation'- ship with respect to lubricant throughsaid inlet, said system extending generally downward along the structureof said knuckle to the upper bearing to supply the latter with l=lubricant and including a conduit draining excess lubricant from theupper to the lower bearn l2. n a motor vehicle, in combination, an axle,a steering knuckle pivoted thereon havincr bearings associatedtherewith, a single lufiiu'cant inlet carried by said axle to deliverlubricant therefrom to said bearings, said inlet being of the pressureabsorbi ng type and restriction means in the path of flow of lubricantfrom said inlet, said restriction means governing the division oflubricant in its gravity flow tlierebeyoiid to the bearings.

13. In a motor vehicle, in combination, a knuckle, an axle havingknuckle supporting bearings, a pressure conveying conduit having apressure absorbing outlet fitting rigid with said axle and near theupper end of the knuckle, restriction pins in the path of lubricant flowin bores of slightly larger diameter than said pins and controlling thedivision of the lubricant from said inlet fitting and passagewayssupplied from said bores. one leading by gravity flow to a knucklesupporting bearing and the other to one of the bearings carried by theknuckle.

14. In a motor vehicle, in combination, an axle, a king pin, a knuckleabout said ring pin having a drag link and atie rod bearing. said kingpin affording a bearing mount at the ends thereof for said knuckle, apressure conveying conduit having a pressure absorbing outlet fittingrigid with said axle vand near the upper end of the knuckle, re-

striction pins in the path of flow of lubricant from said fitting,within bores of slightly larger diameter than said pins and controllingthe division of the lubricant from said inlet fitting, one of saidrestricted bores feeding lubricant to said king pin, a conduitcommunicating with the other restricted bore and extending along thestructure of said knuckle to the drag link hearing. and another conduitinterceptin g overfiow from said drag link bearing and extendingdownward therefrom 1i sion of lubricant from said inlet fitting, one

of said restriction passages delivering through the lower face of saidcap to the up- 'per bearing of the king pin and to a conduit on saidknuckle in flow intercepting rela-tion# shipV therewith extendingalongthe structu of the knuckle `to supply bearings thereof andthe otherof said restrictionl passages con necting with a longitudinal bore :'nsaid king pin, which, in turn, communicates with bearings thereof.

16. In a lubricating installation, in combination, a swiveled structurecarrying one or more bearings,means for supplying lubricant thereto froma remote source comprising a conduit terminating at a xed part adjacentsaid swiveled structure and above the bearings thereon, means on saidstructure intercepting lubricant from said conduit, a conduit systemcarried by said swiveled strncture and leading downward to the bearingor bearings thereof including a conduit of diameter too small to permitpassage of lubricant about any air therein and means venting the upperend of said small conduit to allow ready flow of lubricant therethrough.

17. In a motor vehicle, in combination, axle, a. knuckle pivoted theretocarrying one or more bearings rigid therewith, a pressure transmittingpipe line having a teininal adjacent the upper end of the pivot mount ofsaid knuckle, valve means normally closed to prevent the passage offluid from said pipe line past saitL terminal but adapted to open underthe pressure transmitted through said pipe line to deliver lubricant atlow pressure intercepting means'on, said knuckle being arranged toreceive lbricant transmitted past the valve, a dust and air tightclosure protecting said intercepting means, a conduit system on saidknuckle draining the intercepted lubricant downward to the bearf ingsthereof having a conduit of diameter too small to permit passage oflubricant` about any air therein and means venting the said conduitsystem.

18. In a steering knuckle, in combination, an axle, va king pin xed inan eye thereof, a steering knuckle having a clevis the jaws of whichhave bearings encircling the upper and lower ends of said king pin, athrust bearing about the king pin between the lower clevis jaw and theaxle eye, said lower bearing being sealed at its lower end below saidking pin and means for lubricating said king` pin bearinos comprising alubricant well above said kingI pin, passages through said king pindelivering lubricant therefrom to said lower bearing past said thrustbearing.

19. In a vehicle of the type incuding an axle and a steering knucklehaving a pivotal mount thereon; the combination therewith of alubricating installation for associated bearings about said steeringknuckle, a conduit system including separate conduits along the outside,and through the inside, of the pivotal mount conveying lubricant toassocia-ted bearings, a lubricant source adja cent the upper part of thepivotal mount and collectors adjacent the upper and lower portions oneassociated with each of said sepa rate conduits of said pivotal mountreceiving lubricant from said source and dispensing it, respectively, tosaid bearings by said con# duit system. y

20. .In a vehicle of the type including an axle and a steering knucklehaving a pivotal mount thereon; the combination therewithA` of alubricating installation for associated bearings about said steeringknuckle, conduit systems adapted to supply lubricant to upper and lowerof said associated bearings, a collecting well adjacent the upperpart-of the king pin and a collecting gro ve adjacent the lower part ofsaid king pin, said collecting means cooperating, respectively, withsaid upper and lower conduit systems to receive and dispense lubricantto said bearings.

2l. In a vehicle of the type including an axle, a king pin fixed in saideye and protruding on both sides thereof, a steering knuckle having aclevis, the jaws of which encircle and bear upon the protruding upperand lower ends of said king pin and a thrust bearing about the king pinbetween the lower clevis jaw and the axle eye; the combination therewithof a. lubricating installation for the king pin and thrust bearingscomprising an axial bore downwardly through said king pin to: the levelof the thrust bearing, an inlet cap to admit lubricant to the top ofsaid axial bore covering the upper king pin bearing and acircumferential groove encircling the king pin at said thrust bearingand radial bores establishing communication between said axial bore andsaid circumferential groove, said groove supplying lubricant to saidthrust bearing and to the lower king pin bearing.

22. As an article of manufacture, a king pin adapted to be fixed in anaxle eye and protrude on both sides thereof, to have the upper and lowerprotruding ends thereof serving as inner bearing elements and to beencircled by a thrust bearing above its lower bearing surface, having anupper reduced end, an axial bore extending from the top of the king pinto a short distance away from the bottom thereof, a circumferentialgrooveat the level of the thrustbearing and radial bores between saidaxial bore and said groove.

23. In a vehicle of the type including an axle and a steering knucklehaving a pivotal mount thereon including a king pin g the combinationtherewith of a. lubricating installation for associated bearings aboutsaid steering knuckle, a lubricant source at the top of the king pin, anaxial bore through the king pin and a well at the top of the king pin,said bore and said well being supplied in parallel from said source andin turn supplying lubricant to the upper and Ylower king pin bearingsrespectively. i 24. In a dividing arrangement for a plurality ofbearings supplied a gravity lu- 5 bricant'system, in combination, adistribu-VY tion receiver, an inlet tube extending upwardly to andcommunicating with the said receiver, an annular outlet receiver' aroundsaid tube communicating with the bottom of the receiver, means to admitlubricant to the inlet tube, means to remove lubricant from said annularoutlet receiver below the bottom of said chamberrto supply one bearingand means to remove'lubricant directly from the side of said receiver tosupply another bearing, the width of said annular receiver being soproportioned as to ensure proper division of lubricant to said bearings.Y

25. In a dividing arrangement for a plurality of bearingssupplied by agravity lubricant system, in combination, a substantially vertical inlettube, a relatively wide annuler trough encircling the top of said inlettube, a relatively narrow annular receiver encircling an intermediateportion of said tube and communicating with the bottoni of said annulartrough, means to admit lubricant to the inlet tube below said annularreceiver, means to remove lubricant from said annular receiver below thebottom of said annular trough but above said admitting means andadditional means to remove lubricant from said annular trough, theinlets of said additional means and of said annular receiver being ofsuch proportionate areas and so positioned in respect to the annulartrough as to ensure proper division therebetween.

26. In a ball stud of the type in which the ball stud is adapted to beplaced in upright position with its shank extending downwardly; thecombination therewith of a lubricating installation YYcomprising aradial bore in said shank, an axial bore communicating with said radialbore and exten ding to the top of said ball, the upper portions of'which are enlarged, a tubefitted into said axial bore above said radialbore closely fitting the unenlarged portions of said axial bore, spacedfrom the enlarged portions of said axial bore to form an annular chamberand adapted to feed lubricant into saidY annular chamber andV anotherradial bore in said shank conimunicating with said annular chamber.

27, In a motor vehicle of the type including an axle and a steeringknuckle having a pivotal mount thereon and carrying drag link and tierod bearings; the combination therewith of a lubricant installation forsaid drag-'link and tie rod bearings comprising a distributing receiveradjacentthe top of the pivotal mount, a conduit with a single inlet fromsaid receiver leading to the uppermost of said bearings, another conduitleading from the uppermost of said bearings to `65 `the' lowermost'ofsaid bearings and dividing YYing arm rigid therewith carrying both draglink and tie rod bearings, the tie rod bearing being at a lower levelthan the drag link bearing; the combination therewith of a lubricantYinstallation for the drag link and tie rod bearings comprising alubricant source at the i top of the pivotal mount, a conduit systemsupported by said arm leading first to the drag link bearing and 'thento the tie rod bearing and a concentric dividing arrangement positionedat the drag link bearing and passing some of the lubricant pastsaididrag 85 link bearing to the tie rod bearing.

Q9. In a motor vehicle, in combination, an axle, a knuckle having an armVrigid therewith carrying a bearing, a lubricant inlet fast to saidaxle, a swivel connection between said knuckle and a part rigid withsaid axle, a conduit carried by said knuckle and in fluid interceptingrelationship with lubricant from said-inlet, part of said conduitextending generally along said arm to said bearing and a substantiallydust-tight vent maintaining the upper part of said conduit along saidarm under atmospheric pressure, said conduit being of diameter too smallto permit passage of lubricant about any air therein.Y

30. A steering knuckle comprising, in com- V bination, bearings atdifferent levels, a lubricant inlet to said knuckle, means carried bysaid knuckle dividingthe lubricant delivered to said bearings and a ventnear the dividing means to maintain atmospheric pressure on thelubricant.

31. The combination of an axle, a knuckle having a clevis straddlingsaid axle, a king pin fixed in said axle and affording a bearing forsaid knuckle, said king pin extending upward beyond the upper end ofsaid knuckle, an integral ledge coaxial with the upper enld of saidknuckle, an annular compression gasket encircling said ledge, alubricant supply cap secured to said protruding end of the king pin andhaving a downwardly extending annular flange encircling the gasket. i

32. In combination, a relatively fixed structure, a structure swiveledthereto and carrying a bearing at level below a portion of the swivelbearing therefor, a passageway on said swiveled structure extendingdownward from the nount thereof to said bearing and at least in part ofdiameter too small to permit gravity flow of lubricant therethroughabout any air therein, means to prevent u foreign matter from enteringthe passageway at said swivel, said means rendering the constructionsubstantially air-tight during operation, and a port venting a part ofsaid passage- Way, a receiving chamber being provided to feed saidpassageway, said port being associated with said chamber and ventingsaid chamber substantially above the lower portion thereof.

33. In a lubricating installation, in combination, a pair of bearings atdifferent levels, an inlet at level higher than said bearings forsupplying the higher of them and a substantially vertically extendingoutlet conduit for delivering from the higher down to the lower of saidbearings, of diameter too small to permit passage of lubricant about anyair therein and vented near the commencement thereof, the outlet conduitbeing providedy 35. In a vehicle of the type including anA axle and asteering knuckle having a pivotal mount thereon; the combinationtherewith of a lubricating installation for associated bearings aboutsaid steering knuckle, a conduit system including separate conduitsalong the outside and through the inside of the pivotal mount conveyinglubricant to associated bearings, a lubricant source adjacent the upperpart of the pivotal mount and collectors adjacent the upper and lowerportions, one associated with each of said separate conduits of saidpivotal mount receiving lubricant from said source and dispens' ing it,respectively, to said bearings by said conduit system, the collectorassociated with the outside conduit being positioned at the initialportion of said outside conduit, and the collector associated with theinside conduit being positioned substantially at the termination of saidinside conduit.

Signed at New York city in the county of New York and State of New Yorkthis 13th day of August, A. D. 1925.

JOSEPH BLTUR.

